The Veterinary Benevolent Fund has launched a survey for veterinary surgeons in order to learn more about how the charity is viewed by the profession, and understand how it might improve the support it offers.
Please take part! The survey is anonymous, contains 21 questions and should take no more than 5-10 minutes of your time.
The survey is here: http://freeonlinesurveys.com/rendersurvey.asp?sid=b90tg0mv3vtzpa1965478
The results will be shared in due course.
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.
As the Hon Treasurer of VBF I am extremely interested in the results of this survey and hope the number of respondents will make the exercise statistically significant.
It is important for us to know how we are perceived by the profession and if our role is well understood.
1. We need to ensure that as many members of the profession as possible know of our existence and what help is available in times of trouble - and how to access it.
2. We need the support of the profession to help us come to the rescue of colleagues in distress.
It costs about £380,000 a year to fund the work carried out by the three arms of the charity: VBF, Veterinary Help Line and the Veterinary Surgeons Health Support Programme (all operating under the overall umbrella of the VBF). We also fund the website http://www.vetlife.org.uk
This money comes from investments and the generous contributions from a number of veterinary organisations and individuals. However, we always need more support and in the current financial climate investments tend to be a declining asset!
So, are we doing it right? Is the message getting out to the “haves’” and the unfortunate “have nots’ who desperately need support?
If you think we need to change our image to widen our appeal let us know by completing the questionnaire and encouraging others to do so.